Johnson, impressive throughout, grabbed his second goal before the hour mark and a clean sheet was an added bonus on a night of many pluses.

The only time Derby looked anxious was midway through the first half and they enjoyed a slice of good fortune when Hull midfielder Sebastian blazed his penalty high over when the Rams held a one-goal lead.

A turning point? Yes, it was, and that could have damaged belief but Derby took full advantage.

They might have ended August on a low but they have started the September programme of fixtures in scintillating fashion and the three points lifted them into the top six ahead of today's games.

Much of the concern surrounding Derby's transfer deadline day business is that they appear to have left themselves short of midfielders as Jacob Butterfield and Craig Bryson departed on loan, and Kieftenbeld is still a Birmingham player.

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Tom Huddlestone and Johnson formed the midfield pair in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Hull but right back Andre Wisdom missed out through a bout of illness. Chris Baird came in for his first appearance in the League this season.

Tom Lawrence was handed his home debut and first league start since signing from Leicester City. He lined up on the right side of the a trio behind striker David Nugent.

It meant there was only two changes to the team that lost to Sheffield United and only four players in the XI - Richard Keogh, Scott Carson, Marcus Olsson and Andreas Weimann - started the last time the clubs met in a play-off semi-final second leg tie at the KC Stadium in May 2016, 16 months ago.

They made four changes to the side that beat Bolton Wanderers. Toral, a transfer target of Derby's, came in as did Kingsley, Dicko and Markus Henriksen.

A quick start by Derby came as no surprise and Vydra's overhead kick flashed wide but they had to be switched on defensively in the opening 10 minutes. David Nugent, Keogh and Huddlestone made important headers in their own box.

But Derby were ahead after 15 minutes.

A clumsy challenge by Ola Aina on Vydra brought the Rams a free kick a yard outside the area. Vydra picked himself up and curled an unstoppable set piece high and beyond the diving Allan McGregor's reach.

Michael Dawson headed wide as Hull looked to respond and the visitors had a huge chance to level matters after 27 minutes.

Lawrence hauled Aina down in the area as the Hull right back tried to get on the end of a deep cross. It had to be a penalty, the referee pointed to the spot and Larsson skied his spot kick horribly over much to the delight of the Derby fans.

A let off for Derby but they made Hull pay after 34 minutes as a four-man move carved open Hull to double the lead.

Lawrence found Johnson and fed a neat pass into Nugent, who held the ball and set up Vydra. With one goal already, Vydra needed no second invitation and he thumped an emphatic finish past McGregor from just inside the area.

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Two nil became 3-0 four minutes later as Derby took the game away from their opponents.

Lawrence's corner was met by Davies and he rose highest to power a header into the bottom corner. A goal against his former club and on the 400th League appearance of his career. There was no celebration from the defender, out of respect to his previous employers.

Hull's collapse was complete after they conceded a fourth goal on the stroke of half time.

Vydra was denied his third goal by McGregor's sharp save but moments later Lawrence whipped in a centre that travelled right across the six-yard box to Johnson, who gleefully found the net from close range.

A second assist for Lawrence, whose inclusion increased Derby's threat in the final third. It has been a very good week or so for him having helped Wales to record back-to-back win in their bid to reach next summer's World Cup finals.

Hull have not won an away league game since their opening fixture in the Premier League (16 defeats and four draws) and at four down there was no chance of changing that desperate statistic.

They had to be better than they had been first half and so the Tigers' spirited start to the second half came as no surprise.

Dicko, Aina and Jarrod Bowen all had sights of goal before Derby punished Hull again to make it 5-0 after 58 minutes.

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Michael Hector was at fault messing about by the corner flag and his poor clearance found its way to Johnson 20 yards out. He took a touch and confidently picked his spot low and wide of McGregor for his second goal.

Rams goalkeeper Scott Carson made his first real save of the night with 20 minutes remaining when he tipped over a header from Aina but Nugent and Lawrence sent shots wide for Derby before new loan signing Sam Winnall came on for his debut.

He replaced Nugent, whose performance deserved a goal. He received a standing ovation as did Vydra when he made way for Chris Martin.